Latest news with #CindyMcCain
Hindustan Times
28-06-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
UP's take-home ration model earns global praise, WFP to set up CoE
Jun 28, 2025 05:45 PM IST Uttar Pradesh's take-home ration (THR) programme has received international recognition, with the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) announcing plans to establish a Centre of Excellence in the state to support research and capacity building in nutrition, food processing, and social inclusion, a government spokesman said here on Saturday. . The initiative currently benefits nearly 70 lakh people and integrates women-led self-help groups into its supply chain. (Sourced) The announcement followed a high-level meeting in Rome, Italy, where chief secretary Manoj Kumar Singh presented UP's THR model as an example of best practices in food and nutrition security. The initiative currently benefits nearly 70 lakh people and integrates women-led self-help groups into its supply chain, thereby also promoting rural livelihoods and gender inclusion, according to an official. 'WFP executive director Cindy McCain appreciated UP's efforts and assured full cooperation, accepting an invitation to visit the state,' a government spokesperson said. During a special session hosted by 'Friends of Nutrition', the model was described as a successful example of integrated nutrition delivery and women's empowerment.' Singh also held discussions with Rakesh Muthoo, assistant director-general of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), where both sides agreed to expand cooperation in sustainable agriculture and climate-resilient farming.
TimesLIVE
17-06-2025
- Health
- TimesLIVE
Hunger crisis deepens in global hotspots as famine risk rises: UN
Extreme hunger is intensifying in 13 global hot spots, with Gaza, Sudan, South Sudan, Haiti and Mali at immediate risk of famine without urgent humanitarian intervention, a joint UN report warned on Monday. The 'Hunger Hotspots' report by the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and World Food Programme (WFP) blames conflict, economic shocks and climate-related hazards for conditions in the worst-hit areas. The report predicts food crises in the next five months. It called for investment and help to ensure aid delivery, which it said was being undermined by insecurity and funding gaps. 'This report is a red alert. We know where hunger is rising and we know who is at risk,' said WFP executive director Cindy McCain. 'Without funding and access, we cannot save lives.' For famine to be declared, at least 20% of the population in an area must be suffering extreme food shortages, with 30% of children acutely malnourished and two people out of every 10,000 dying daily from starvation or malnutrition and disease. In Sudan, where famine was confirmed in 2024, the crisis is expected to persist due to conflict and displacement, with almost 25-million people at risk.
Kuwait Times
17-06-2025
- General
- Kuwait Times
Hunger crisis deepens in global hotspots as famine risk rises: UN
GAZA: Palestinians gather in wait for the arrival of trucks carrying humanitarian aid near Jabalia, in the northern Gaza Strip late on June 15, 2025. - AFP ROME: Extreme hunger is intensifying in 13 global hot spots, with Gaza, Sudan, South Sudan, Haiti and Mali at immediate risk of famine without urgent humanitarian intervention, a joint United Nations report warned on Monday. The 'Hunger Hotspots' report by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and World Food Program (WFP) blamed conflict, economic shocks, and climate-related hazards for conditions in the worst-hit areas. The report predicts food crises in the next five months. It called for investment and help to ensure aid delivery, which it said was being undermined by insecurity and funding gaps. 'This report is a red alert. We know where hunger is rising and we know who is at risk,' said WFP Executive Director Cindy McCain. 'Without funding and access, we cannot save lives.' For famine to be declared, at least 20 percent of the population in an area must be suffering extreme food shortages, with 30 percent of children acutely malnourished and two people out of every 10,000 dying daily from starvation or malnutrition and disease. In Sudan, where famine was confirmed in 2024, the crisis is expected to persist due to conflict and displacement, with almost 25 million people at risk. South Sudan, hit by flooding and political instability, could see up to 7.7 million people in crisis, with 63,000 in famine-like conditions, the report said. In Gaza, Zionist entity's continued military operations and blockade have left the entire population of 2.1 million people facing acute food insecurity, with nearly half a million at risk of famine by the end of September, the report said. In Haiti, escalating gang violence has displaced thousands, with 8,400 already facing catastrophic hunger, while in Mali conflict and high grain prices put 2,600 people at risk of starvation by the end of August. Other countries of high concern include Yemen, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Myanmar, and Nigeria. 'Protecting people's farms and animals to ensure they can keep producing food where they are, even in the toughest and harshest conditions, is not just urgent – it is essential,' said FAO Director-General QU Dongyu. Some countries such as Ethiopia, Kenya, and Lebanon, have shown improvements and been removed from the FAO and WFP's Hunger Hotspots list.— Reuters
Gulf Today
16-06-2025
- General
- Gulf Today
UN report reveals worsening hunger in 13 hotspots; five with immediate risk of starvation
A new joint UN report warns that people in five hunger hotspots around the world face extreme hunger and risk of starvation and death in the coming months unless there is urgent humanitarian action and a coordinated international effort to de-escalate conflict, stem displacement, and mount an urgent full-scale aid response. The latest Hunger Hotspots report shows that Sudan, Palestine, South Sudan, Haiti and Mali are hotspots of the highest concern, with communities already facing famine, at risk of famine or confronted with catastrophic levels of acute food insecurity due to intensifying or persisting conflict, economic shocks, and natural hazards. The devastating crises are being exacerbated by growing access constraints and critical funding shortfalls. The semi-annual Hunger Hotspots report is an early-warning and predictive analysis of deteriorating food crises for the next five months. Developed and published with financial support from the European Union through the Global Network Against Food Crises (GNAFC), the latest edition projects a serious deterioration of acute food insecurity in 13 countries and territories - the world's most critical hunger hotspots in the coming months. In addition to hotspots of the highest concern, Yemen, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Myanmar and Nigeria are now hotspots of very high concern and require urgent attention to save lives and livelihoods. Other hotspots include Burkina Faso, Chad, Somalia, and Syria. "This report makes it very clear: hunger today is not a distant threat - it is a daily emergency for millions,' FAO Director-General QU Dongyu said. "We must act now, and act together, to save lives and safeguard livelihoods. Protecting people's farms and animals to ensure they can keep producing food where they are, even in the toughest and harshest conditions, is not just urgent - it is essential.' "This report is a red alert. We know where hunger is rising and we know who is at risk,' added Cindy McCain, World Food Programme Executive Director. "We have the tools and experience to respond, but without funding and access, we cannot save lives. Urgent, sustained investment in food assistance and recovery support is crucial as the window to avert yet more devastating hunger is closing fast." In contrast, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lebanon, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Zambia, and Zimbabwe have been removed from the Hunger Hotspots list. In East and Southern Africa, as well as in Niger, better climatic conditions for harvests and fewer weather extremes have eased food security pressures. Lebanon has also been delisted following reduced intensity of military operations. However, FAO and WFP warn that these gains remain fragile and could reverse quickly if shocks re-emerge.
Arab News
16-06-2025
- General
- Arab News
Hunger crisis deepens in global hotspots as famine risk rises, UN warns
ROME: Extreme hunger is intensifying in 13 global hot spots, with Gaza, Sudan, South Sudan, Haiti, and Mali at immediate risk of famine without urgent humanitarian intervention, a joint UN report warned on Monday. The 'Hunger Hotspots' report by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization and World Food Programme blamed conflict, economic shocks, and climate-related hazards for conditions in the worst-hit areas. The report predicts food crises in the next five months. It called for investment and help to ensure aid delivery, which it said was being undermined by insecurity and funding gaps. 'This report is a red alert. We know where hunger is rising and we know who is at risk,' said WFP Executive Director Cindy McCain. 'Without funding and access, we cannot save lives.' For famine to be declared, at least 20 percent of the population in an area must be suffering extreme food shortages, with 30 percent of children acutely malnourished and two people out of every 10,000 dying daily from starvation or malnutrition and disease. In Sudan, where famine was confirmed in 2024, the crisis is expected to persist due to conflict and displacement, with almost 25 million people at risk. South Sudan, hit by flooding and political instability, could see up to 7.7 million people in crisis, with 63,000 in famine-like conditions, the report said. In Gaza, Israel's continued military operations and blockade have left the entire population of 2.1 million people facing acute food insecurity, with nearly half a million at risk of famine by the end of September, the report said. In Haiti, escalating gang violence has displaced thousands, with 8,400 already facing catastrophic hunger, while in Mali, conflict and high grain prices put 2,600 people at risk of starvation by the end of August. Other countries of high concern include Yemen, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Myanmar, and Nigeria. 'Protecting people's farms and animals to ensure they can keep producing food where they are, even in the toughest and harshest conditions, is not just urgent — it is essential,' said FAO Director General QU Dongyu. Some countries, such as Ethiopia, Kenya, and Lebanon, have improved and have been removed from the FAO and WFP's Hunger Hotspots list. The UN's Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said on Monday it was drastically scaling back its global humanitarian aid plans because of the 'deepest funding cuts ever' — leaving tens of millions of people facing dire straits. OCHA said it was seeking $29 billion in funding for 2025 compared to the $44 billion requested initially in December, in a 'hyper-prioritized' appeal. 'Brutal funding cuts leave us with brutal choices,' OCHA chief Tom Fletcher said in a statement. 'All we ask is 1 percent of what you chose to spend last year on war. But this isn't just an appeal for money it's a call for global responsibility, human solidarity, and a commitment to end the suffering.' In late April, while visiting a hospital in Kandahar in Afghanistan, Fletcher warned: 'Cutting funding for those in greatest need is not something to boast about ... The impact of aid cuts is that millions die.' With 2025 nearly halfway through, the UN has received only $5.6 billion out of the $44 billion sought initially for this year — a mere 13 percent. In total, the original plan covered more than 70 countries and aimed to assist nearly 190 million vulnerable people. Even so, that plan acknowledged there were 115 million people the UN could not reach. 'We have been forced into a triage of human survival,' Fletcher said on Monday. The mathematics 'is cruel, and the consequences are heartbreaking.' 'Too many people will not get the support they need, but we will save as many lives as we can with the resources we are given,' he said. Aid will now be directed so that it can 'reach the people and places facing the most urgent needs,' with those in 'extreme or catastrophic conditions' as the starting point, said Fletcher. 'This will ensure that limited resources are directed where they can do the most good — as quickly as possible,' the statement said.
